I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter seven

Diagon Alley. That was the last place Harry Potter wanted to go that day. But he knew that he had to. He had people to see and supplies to buy. Besides if he didn't go Ginny wouldn't get new Lockhart books.

He didn't understand why Mrs. Weasley just didn't buy one set (after he gives Ginny the other). Lockhart's was the only class that they needed the books for. The kids would just pass them among themselves. No two Years were taking a class at the same time so theoretically it would work. Other than the Lockhart books the rest of the First Year Books were the same so Ron could just give Ginny most of his old books. He told Mrs. Weasley his thought and surprisingly she agreed.

Harry was lead to the Floo and gave it a dubious look. No matter how many times he used it he hated it. At least it was better than a Portkey. He was never going to use one of those again as long as he lived... well at least until he's kidnapped by Voldemort. He was very superstitious when it came to those. He took a pinch of powder and swallowed a bunch of ash as he called out what he hoped was Diagon Alley.

Fate was really against Harry Potter and now he had proof. Once again, he was in Borgin and Burkes. Harry was never happier that he was the one to use the Floo because he had more time to escape. But since the Fates hated Harry, they had the Malfoys appear right as he was about to head for the door. Harry hid in the small cabinet and tried not to let his claustrophobia get to him. He really wished he knew what was on the piece of paper Mr. Malfoy gave Mr. Borgin.

Harry didn't pay that much attention to the Malfoys. He knew what was going on so it was pointless. He just waited until they were all gone. He really didn't want to be seen. Not soon enough, Mr. Malfoy called his son and they left the shop. He waited until Borgin was in the storage room and he snuck out.

This time there was no Hagrid to show him the way to Diagon Alley. He must have still been looking for that slug repellant. Somehow, he knew how to get back to the Weasleys because he found them less than five minutes later.

Tears were nearly coming out Mrs. Weasley's eyes when she finally saw the state Harry was in. He still covered in soot and his glasses were broken even though he put them in his pocket before he left the Burrow. Harry managed to convince her that he was fine and that he was just a bit dirty.

He told Mr. Weasley what he heard in Borgin and Burkes. Mr. Weasley was determined to get something on the Malfoys. But unfortunately, Harry couldn't tell him anything. This year had to remain same as the last time. Except for all the time Harry and the others got into trouble. The car, the de-boning (hopefully), and the Polyjuice fiasco could all be avoided.

After going to Gringotts, Ron and Hermione dragged Harry to the ice cream parlor, then to QQS, the parchment store, the joke shop, and an old junk shop. No one noticed the large black dog that seemed to be following them. That was until they started to walk towards Flourish and Blotts. Even in the crowd, Harry could see the massive mob of black fur.

"I'm going to kill that mutt." Harry muttered this under his breath but his friends heard him. They gave Harry a confused look until they too saw the dog.

"Harry, isn't that the dog that snuck on the Express last year?" Hermione questioned Harry. Harry nodded but noticed that the dog had disappeared. "I wondered what happened to the dog. I didn't see him when I was at your place for the holiday."

"I'll explain things when we get back to the Burrow. I don't want anyone to over hear me. And in this crowd I don't doubt someone will." Harry didn't want to tell but he didn't have much of a choice.

"What are you three doing on your own?" Sirius' sudden appearance made Ron jump. "It's not safe with Wo-Pettigrew on the loose."

"Hey, Siri. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home making sure Remus doesn't burn down the house?" Sirius gave a small laugh and ruffled Harry's hair.

"Don't call me Siri. Haven't you been reading the Rules?" Sirius referred to the book that Harry got for his birthday.

"Rule seven; don't call each other nicknames unless the named person approves of that nickname. I thought that only allied to calling dad Jamie. It's hard to read that with the twins around. They would get all giddy if they saw that. We should go in Mrs. Weasley will start wondering where we are." Right on cue Mrs. Weasley called for them.

It was the one moment that Harry purposly blocked from his memory. It was the day he met Gildroy Lockhart. The git was as pompous as ever. Harry couldn't help but cringe at the sight of him. Sirius was standing close and saw Harry's reaction.

Then the camera man step on Ron's foot. Ron cursed at the man, which drew Lockhart's attention to them. He immediately recognized Harry and tried to pull him to the front. Sirius waited until the store manager gave Harry the free books until he stepped forward.

"Nice big smile, Harry." Harry cringed again when Lockhart tightened his hold on him. "Together you and I are worth the front page."

"Get your hands off him Gildy."

"Why isn't it Sirius Black? I haven't seen you nearly fifteen years. How have things been for you all these years?" Sirius rolled his eyes at the stupid man.

"I told you not to touch my godson. If I see one picture of him in the Prophet, I'll sue you and the Prophet. I would hate to see the kind of damage that would cause you." The growl that Sirius gave sounded nearly canine.

"Harry your godfather is so cool." Ron whispered so softly that even Hermione didn't hear him.

"Yeah, I know." Harry gave Sirius an admirable glace. He went toward the front of the shop with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny following him. Mr. Weasley was near by.

When they were about to exit, Draco Malfoy stopped them from leaving.

"So, you can't even go into a bookstore without causing a riot now, can you Potter? That's really pathetic." Malfoy gave the group his best sneer.

"I have to admit that, that insult was slightly better than the one you tried to dish out last Christmas. I would give it a three. But I am being generous, Cousin." Harry smirked back. Then he felt Malfoy jump on top of him. Though he didn't look it, Draco Malfoy was pretty heavy.

Lucius Malfoy took that as an opportunity to put Tom Riddle's diary in Ginny's used transfiguration book. Harry saw it but knew he couldn't do anything. Ginny has to suffer under Riddle's control and Harry has to destroy the diary. Only this time he wasn't going into the forest.

Five minutes after the fight, Sirius walked out with Harry and Hermione's school books. Her parents paid Sirius back with Muggle money. Harry was very curious as to haw Sirius would spend that. But then again he didn't want to know what he was going to do with it.

When everyone left the store, Harry could see Lockhart announcing that he was going to be teaching at Hogwarts. Harry groaned and Sirius took pity on Harry.

That night Harry once again found himself meditating on the camp bed Mrs. Weasley set up for him in Ron's room. The first time Ron caught him was very awkward. But Ron was used to it now. Amazingly, Ron agreed to keep Harry's meditating time a secret from his mum.

FLASHBACK

"Harry, Mum wants to know... what are you doing?" Ron gave Harry an uncertain look. Fortunately, Harry had an excuse ready for Ron to make sure he wouldn't get suspicious.

"Meditating."

"Why?" He was still giving Harry weird looks.

"Uncle Remus found out that I have a hard time sleeping because of nightmares. He suggested that I meditated before I went to sleep. If I clear my mind, I won't have nightmares." Harry learned how to lie smoothly over the last few years; even though he hated doing it. But, Harry reasoned, it was necessary.

END FLASHBACK

Sirius said that to find his animagus form he had to find his inner animal. He heard the animal and he knew that it was black and had claws but that was all he knew. Harry closed his eyes and looked deep within himself, just as Sirius taught him. This time was different from the others.

Harry once again heard the clicking sound. It sounded like paws on stone. He could feel fur all over his tiny body. He had a great urge to run and play. He had a long messy black tail. His pointy ears were on top of his head that was also messy. His emerald eyes stood out forever against a sea of black. Harry could feel himself smiling in his new form.

Harry quickly pulled himself out of his trance and pulled out his mirror; not caring that Sirius might be asleep.

"Paddy, guess what? I know what my animagus form is going to be." Harry had an excited grin on his face that matched the one that was on his form. "You'll never guess what I am."

"Harry, calm down. Tonks is in the next room. I don't want her to know about the mirrors." Sirius gently rebuked Harry.

"Sorry, Paddy. But I going to be a..."

Just then, Ron walked into the room with a shocked look on his face. Harry Potter was in big trouble.

A/N Ha, a cliffy. I bet you all thought I was going to tell you what Harry was going to be in the chapter. Don't worry it will be soon.